Use Braille to Create Fun Escape Room Puzzles

Celebrate National Braille Day with Fun Treasure Hunts and Escape Room Puzzles!

Did you know that January 4th is National Braille Day? It’s the perfect opportunity to learn about the ingenious system of tactile writing that opens up the world of reading and communication for people who are blind or visually impaired. And what better way to celebrate than by incorporating Braille into a treasure hunt or escape room puzzle? It’s a fun and interactive way to introduce kids and families to Braille while sparking curiosity and creativity.

What is Braille?

Braille is a tactile writing system invented by Louis Braille in 1824. It uses raised dots arranged in patterns to represent letters, numbers, and even musical notation. By running their fingers over these dots, readers can decode messages—an incredible way to make written communication accessible to everyone.

Why Include Braille in Your Escape Room Game?

Adding Braille to your treasure hunts or escape room puzzles introduces:

• Learning through Play: Kids can explore the basics of Braille while solving some fun clues.
• Inclusivity: Highlighting the use of Braille helps create awareness and appreciation for accessibility. I’m all for making kids aware of the world we live in.
• A Unique Challenge: Deciphering Braille adds a fun tactile twist to a puzzle game for both kids and adult escape rooms.

Fun Ideas for Using Braille in Treasure Hunts and Escape Room Puzzles

Here are a few creative ways you can incorporate Braille into your activities:

Braille Clue Cards: Hide cards with Braille messages that lead players to the next location. For example:

• Write a simple Braille message like “Go to the kitchen” or “Find the red book.”
• Include a Braille alphabet key for beginners to decode the message. This could be a poster displayed in your escape room or a letter that the players discover during the game.

I created a braille font that you can use to create your own messages; read to the end of the blog post to grab a free braille activity kit with an editable page you can use to create clues and puzzles of your own.

Riddle Me This: Create riddles written in Braille for players to solve. Here’s an example:

• The Braille message reads: “What has hands but can’t clap?”
• Answer: “A clock!”

Top Tip: if you are creating clues for young players, keep the clues short. The last thing you want is for the players to get bored deciphering their clues.

Hidden Braille Messages: Use textured stickers or glue dots to create Braille clues on everyday objects. These velcro stickers are perfect. For instance:

• Place velcro dots on a locked box or jar that players must find and decode.

Braille Cipher: Braille is great to use as a tactile clue in a DIY home escape room. Make a Braille cipher players must decode to unlock a “locked” clue. For example:

• Use Braille to create a series of numbers corresponding to a combination lock.
• Pair Braille letters with symbols players must match to solve a puzzle.
• Use UV pens to write braille numbers on a locked box.
• For a more tactile clue, use the raised dots to reveal a lock combination or clue word.

DIY Braille Messages: Encourage players to create their own Braille messages as part of the game. This could be:

• Writing a secret message in Braille for another player to decode.
• Crafting a personalized treasure hunt clue using a Braille guide.

Tips for Success

• Provide a Braille alphabet key for beginners.
• Use raised stickers, glue dots, or puff paint to create Braille if you’re crafting clues yourself.
• Pair Braille activities with visual and auditory clues for a multisensory experience.

Free Braille Activity Sheet!

Celebrate the Joy of Learning

National Braille Day is a fantastic way to celebrate the ingenuity of Louis Braille and introduce kids to the importance of accessibility. By turning learning into a fun, hands-on activity, you’ll inspire your kids and foster empathy while having a blast!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your free Braille activity sheet, gather your family or friends, and dive into a world of tactile adventure. Happy National Braille Day!